St Kilda, who had a shortage of quality ruckman, especially following the departure of Trent Knobel, selected Ackland in the second round of the 2004 AFL Draft.

Out of contract with St Kilda at the end of 2006, Ackland joined Carlton with the club's first pick in the 2007 pre-season Draft.

While serviceable in the role, he often struggled to compete with the league's other top ruckmen and was briefly dropped on two occasions.

He moved to the forward-line at Carlton's VFL-affiliate, the Northern Bullants, where he kicked more than six goals in games several times during the year, but could not get back into the senior team.

Ackland returned to South Australia in 2009 and joined North Adelaide in the SANFL;[3] he played there for three seasons, retiring at the end of 2011.